Electrophysiology

The cardiac subspecialty of electrophysiology (EP) diagnoses and treats arrhythmias. This includes use of pacemakers to treat bradycardia, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) for tachycardia, heart failure and patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiac ablation treatments to treat heart rhythm disorders.

Anne Kroman, DO, PhD, director of lead management and the device clinic, and assistant professor at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), explains more women need to be included in clinical trials to help better understand sex differences in electrophysiology presentations.

Why electrophysiology trials need to include more women

Most EP clinical study data are from men, Anne Kroman, DO, explained in an interview. This is a significant problem, she said, because heart rhythm issues look quite different in women. 

July 26, 2024
Pills

Pharmacists help lower stroke risk in patients with undiagnosed, undertreated AFib

Researchers described pharmacies as an “attractive setting for community-based AFib screening."

July 24, 2024
FibriCheck, a Belgium-based healthcare technology company, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its artificial intelligence-powered digital platform that uses smartphone cameras to obtain heart rhythm measurements.

FDA clears heart rhythm AI that turns smartphones into medical devices

FibriCheck has been increasing its presence in the United States in anticipation of this approval, opening a new office and partnering with U.S. hospitals. 

July 24, 2024
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

Volta Medical, GE Healthcare partner on AI-powered AFib treatments

Under this new arrangement, Volta Medical's AI software will be integrated into GE Healthcare offerings to improve AFib outcomes. 

July 23, 2024
Some of the abandoned leads and various shapes and positions of the wires from the study. None of these patients had any safety issues related the abandoned leads. Image courtesy of RSNA

MRI in patients with abandoned pacemaker and ICD leads

Abandoned metal wire leads for pacemakers and ICDs did not present a serious safety issue in a study of 80 patients, but a handful of patients did experience a significant change in the composite of capture threshold, sensing or lead impedance.

July 19, 2024
Anne Kroman, DO, MUSC, explains efforts to increasing female representation in electrophysiology. #GLOWE #HRS #HRS24 #WomeninEP

Efforts to get more women involved in electrophysiology and why it is important

Anne Kroman, DO, PhD, assistant professor at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), explains mentoring efforts for women in EP and why it is important for patients to see more female electrophysiologists to help overcome barriers.

July 19, 2024
Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Leadless vs. transvenous pacemakers after TAVR: Tracking complications, costs and survival

Leadless pacemakers may be an "attractive alternative" to transvenous devices when cardiologists treat older TAVR patients who experience conduction disorders.

July 18, 2024
Cordis has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its new MYNX Control Venous Vascular Closure Device (VCD) for 6F-12F access sites. The company hopes to launch the newly approved extravascular closure device in the months ahead.

Cordis gains FDA approval for new closure device, inks pricing deal with Premier

The newly approved extravascular closure device was designed for procedures with access sites from 6 to 12 French. It uses the same proprietary GRIP technology found in other Cordis interventional devices.

July 18, 2024

Around the web

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Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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